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. 2011 Jul;13(7):579-88.
doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntr045. Epub 2011 Apr 12.

Impact of female-oriented cigarette packaging in the United States

David Hammond  1 , Juliana Doxey, Samantha Daniel, Maansi Bansal-Travers
Affiliations

Impact of female-oriented cigarette packaging in the United States

David Hammond et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Introduction: Cigarette packaging is among the most prominent forms of tobacco marketing. This study examined the impact of cigarette pack design among young women in the United States.

Method: A national sample of 18- to 19-year-old females in the United States completed an online survey in February 2010. Participants were randomized to view eight cigarette packs designed according to one of four experimental conditions: fully branded female packs, same packs without descriptors (e.g., "slims"), same packs without brand imagery or descriptors ("plain" packs), and branded non-female brands. Participants rated packs on measures of appeal and health risk and completed a behavioral pack selection task.

Results: Fully branded female packs were rated significantly more appealing than the same packs without descriptors, "plain" packs, and non-female-branded packs. Female-branded packs were associated with a greater number of positive attributes including glamour, slimness, and attractiveness and were more likely to be perceived as less harmful. Approximately 40% of smokers and nonsmokers requested a pack at the end of the study; female-branded packs were 3 times more likely to be selected than plain packs.

Conclusion: Plain packaging and removing descriptors such as "slims" from cigarette packs may reduce smoking susceptibility among young women.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Examples of advertisements from the American Tobacco Company.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cigarette packs by experimental condition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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